Rayburn - Chaffe

Mallory Lindsly

Mary-Margaret Rayburn and Robert Hamilton Brierre Chaffe

Mary-Margaret Rayburn and Robert Hamilton Brierre Chaffe knew who each other but were never formally introduced until June of 2007, when Robert, who’s a freelance musician, was performing in a band with Mary-Margaret’s brother, Tyler. Mary-Margaret walked in and happened to sit in the vacant stool next to Robert, who was having sushi at the bar before the band began to perform. Robert and Mary-Margaret carried on their conversation right until the band started playing.

Robert proposed on December 30, 2010, just before a New Year’s trip to New Orleans. After hiding Mary-Margaret’s engagement ring in the dog food bin, Robert proceeded to go to his office in Oxford, Miss. On his way back to pick her up just before leaving town, Robert called Mary-Margaret, asking her to feed the dog as they were “in a rush” to get on the road. When Robert arrived, he found his soon-to-be fiancé jumping up and down in the house. He immediately got down on one knee and asked her for her hand in marriage. Mary-Margaret agreed and Robert proceeded to put the diamond ring on her finger – it was only fitting that it was on the wrong hand.

After the wedding, which took place November 5, 2011 at the Elms Mansion in New Orleans, Mary-Margaret and Robert flew to Cannel Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands for a week-long honeymoon. The couple now resides in Oxford, Miss. Mary-Margaret participates in research and clerical work for Preusser Research Group, Inc., where Robert is a Research Associate.